A note on polarized light from magnetars

In a recent paper it is claimed that vacuum birefringence has been experimentally observed for the first time by measuring the degree of polarization of visible light from a magnetar candidate, a neutron star with a magnetic field presumably as large as 10^13 G. The role of such a strong magnetic field is twofold. First, the surface of the star emits, at each point, polarized light with linear polarization correlated with the orientation of the magnetic field. Depending on the relative orientation of the magnetic axis of the star with the direction to the distant observer, a certain degree of polarization should be visible. Second, the strong magnetic field in the vacuum surrounding the star could enhance the effective degree of polarization observed: vacuum birefringence. We compare experimental data and theoretical expectations concluding that the conditions to support a claim of strong evidence of vacuum birefringence effects are not met

Neurobiological underpinnings of reward anticipation and outcome evaluation in gambling disorder

Gambling disorder is characterized by persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior, which leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. The disorder is associated with dysfunctions in the dopamine system. The dopamine system codes reward anticipation and outcome evaluation. Reward anticipation refers to dopaminergic activation prior to reward, while outcome evaluation refers to dopaminergic activation after reward. This article reviews evidence of dopaminergic dysfunctions in reward anticipation and outcome evaluation in gambling disorder from two vantage points: a model of reward prediction and reward prediction error by Wolfram Schultz et al. and a model of “wanting” and “liking” by Terry E. Robinson and Kent C. Berridge. Both models offer important insights on the study of dopaminergic dysfunctions in addiction, and implications for the study of dopaminergic dysfunctions in gambling disorder are suggested

Continuum emission enhancements and penumbral changes observed during flares by IRIS, ROSA, and Hinode

In this paper we describe observations acquired by satellite instruments (Hinode/SOT and IRIS) and ground-based telescopes (ROSA@DST) during two consecutive C7.0 and X1.6 flares occurred in active region NOAA 12205 on 2014 November 7. The analysis of these data show the presence of continuum enhancements during the evolution of the events, observed both in ROSA images and in IRIS spectra. Moreover, we analyze the role played by the evolution of the δ sunspots of the active region in the flare triggering, indicating the disappearance of a large portion of penumbra around these sunspots

Plant Dynamic Metabolic Response to Bacteriophage Treatment After Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Infection

Periodic epidemics of black rot disease occur worldwide causing substantial yield losses. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) represents one of the most common bacteria able to cause the above disease in cruciferous plants such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Arabidopsis thaliana. In agriculture, several strategies are being developed to contain the Xanthomonas infection. The use of bacteriophages could represent a valid and efficient approach to overcome this widespread phenomenon. Several studies have highlighted the potential usefulness of implementing phage therapy to control plant diseases as well as Xcc infection. In the present study, we characterized the effect of a lytic phage on the plant Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes infected with Xcc and, for the first time, the correlated plant metabolic response. The results highlighted the potential benefits of bacteriophages: reduction of bacterium proliferation, alteration of the biofilm structure and/or modulation of the plant metabolism and defense response

Extracellular DNA secreted in yeast cultures is metabolism-specific and inhibits cell proliferation

Extracellular DNA (exDNA) can be actively released by living cells and different putative functions have been attributed to it. Further, homolo-gous exDNA has been reported to exert species-specific inhibitory effects on several organisms. Here, we demonstrate by different experimental evidence, including 1H-NMR metabolomic fingerprint, that the growth rate decline in Saccharomyces cerevisiae fed-batch cultures is determined by the accumula-tion of exDNA in the medium. Sequencing of such secreted exDNA represents a portion of the entire genome, showing a great similarity with extrachromo-somal circular DNA (eccDNA) already reported inside yeast cells. The recov-ered DNA molecules were mostly single strands and specifically associated to the yeast metabolism displayed during cell growth. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the observed growth inhibition by exDNA corresponded to an arrest in the S phase of the cell cycle. These unprecedented findings open a new scenario on the functional role of exDNA produced by living cells

Fluconazole Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosing for Prevention and Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis in Children Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

ABSTRACT Candida infections are a leading cause of infectious disease-related death in children supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The ECMO circuit can alter drug pharmacokinetics (PK); thus, standard fluconazole dosing may result in suboptimal drug exposures. The objective of our study was to determine the PK of fluconazole in children on ECMO. Forty children with 367 PK samples were included in the analysis. The PK data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM). A one-compartment model best described the data. Weight was included in the base model for clearance (CL) and volume of distribution ( V ). The final model included the effect of serum creatinine (SCR) level on CL and the effect of ECMO on V as follows: CL (in liters per hour) = 0.019 × weight × (SCR/0.4) −0.29 × exp(η CL ) and V (in liters) = 0.93 × weight × 1.4 ECMO × exp(η V ). The fluconazole V was increased in children supported by ECMO. Consequently, children on ECMO require a higher fluconazole loading dose for prophylaxis (12 mg/kg of body weight) and treatment (35 mg/kg) paired with standard maintenance doses to achieve exposures similar to those of children not on ECMO

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Fluconazole in Young Infants Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Candida infections are a leading cause of infectious disease-related death in infants supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The ECMO circuit can alter drug pharmacokinetics (PK), thus standard fluconazole dosing in children on ECMO may result in suboptimal drug exposure. This study determined the PK of fluconazole in infants on ECMO